RCX C-Link User’s Guide
Firmware
EDT, Inc. November 2006
12
Firmware
RCX C-Links for base, medium, and full modes as of November 2006 are shipped configured with
these firmware files:
If you are using the RCX C-Link with a PCI DV FOX, you can use the
rcxload
utility to verify or
update the firmware on an RCX C-Link module.
NOTE
Without a PCI DV FOX, the
rcxload
utility is not available. For updated firmware, ship the
module back to EDT.
Contact EDT before updating the firmware on a full-mode system.
Verifying the Firmware
Before you update the firmware, you may wish to verify that it’s necessary.You can use the
rcxload
utility to verify that the firmware loaded into the module is the same as that in a specified firmware file.
To do so, enter:
rcxload -v
file.rcx
substituting the name of a valid RCX C-Link firmware file for
file.rcx
..
The utility compares the firmware in the RCX C-Link module bit by bit with the firmware in the specified
firmware file. If they are the same, it reports
verified
and
0 errors
; if not, it reports
not
verified
and lists the errors.
NOTE
Avoid updating the firmware unless it’s necessary. If your RCX C-Link module is working correctly,
there’s ordinarily no need to update its firmware.
Updating the Firmware
The instructions below allow you to update the firmware in an RCX C-Link module to the current
firmware revision. However, do so only after reading the information below:
NOTE
Field updates of full-mode YZ channel units are not currently possible. Contact EDT to update the
firmware on a full-mode system.
CAUTION
To avoid corrupting the firmware on the RCX C-Link, do not interrupt the update by pressing
Ctrl-C or turning off the power while the update is in progress.
Table 3. FPGA Configuration Files for the
RCX C-Link
RCX C-Link mode / channel
FPGA configuration file
base mode
rgb11.rcx
medium mode, X channel
mx11.rcx
medium mode, YZ channel
my11.rcx
full mode, X channel
fx11.rcx
full mode, YZ channel
fyz11.rcx
